"DEBUNK RUMOURS OF IMPENDING ATTACK IN SOUTH-EAST; We Are Only in Search For Greener Pasture"....MACBAN

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, the umbrella body of cattle rearers in Nigeria has come out to debunk rumours of any impending attack in the Southeast of Nigeria by its members.

MACBAN noted that, their members operating in the South East zone have no grudges against any state in the zone, let alone plotting any form of attack on the area.

The Fulani herdsmen, through their umbrella body have said that, "their main reason for being in the South East zone is to seek greener pasture where they can feed their cattle, and not to cause terrorism in the area".

In an address to members of MACBAN, South East zone during a meeting held in Enugu, Chairman of the Association in the zone, Gidado Sadiqu, said that the members were conscious of the negative information being spread in the country’s seemingly volatile political space to the extent that, the latest being that "Fulani herdsmen are planning to attack Anambra and Enugu states".

Gidado urged the public to disregard it as it is wicked rumour.

In attendance at the meeting were representatives of the association from the various five southeast states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.

"The Fulani herdsmen have no grudges with the aforementioned states. We are in the Southeast to look for greener pastures to feed our cattle. We are not here to terrorise anyone but we are scared of people coming under the guise of the Fulani herdsmen to unleash terror on our hosts", Gidado Sadiq said.

Advising the members of the association to always be watchful and quickly report strange faces around them to the concerned authorities, he also urged the public to remain vigilant and "not to allow anyone to destroy the peaceful co-existence we are enjoying".

"We warn our members to stop crossing the border of a state and destroy and run back to another state".

He alleged that "some people come from Ebonyi State to destroy farms in Enugu and run back to Ebonyi while others come from Enugu and go to destroy farms in Ebonyi and run back to Enugu".

The leadership of MACBAN has initiated measures to lessen the menace of herdsmen/farmers’ clashes across the borders of the South East zone.

Sources: News Express